Chain-conveyer link



Feb. 25, 1930. J. EVANS CHAIN C ONVEYER LINK Filed May 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 25, 1930.

J. EVANS- GHAIN CONVEYER LINK Filed May '1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 although not limited, to conveyers of the Z usually over a considerable distance.

Patented Feb. 25, 1930 ,uarrsn STATES JOHN L. EVANS, or SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA PATENT OFFICE CHAIN-GONVEYER LINK This invention relates to certain improve- I 'inents in chain conveyer links, and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood ,by those skilled '5 in the art involved in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I at present consider and believe to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of the invention from among'various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions'of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

The invention is particularly directed,

endless chain types such as employed for moving or conveying coal and such like materials at the mine, fromone point to another, Such types of conveyers are characterized generally by an endless chain slidingthrough and alonga trough or channel, and the chain is provided at intervals therealong with flights or push plates movable therewith for engaging and forcing thecoal through the trough or channel to the desired point of discharge or delivery. The conveyer chains are usuallydriven from and by suitable power driven sprocket wheels or drive mechanism,

' and are subjected to considerable stress and strains through the weight'of coal conveyed thereby and the necessary large amount of I power appliedthereto in order to drive the 33 same. I 1 Y With conveyer chains of the foregoing types,considerable difficulty is encountered in practice from breaking of the links of which the chain isTformed, due to the strains and stresses to which they are subjected in use, arising from the load of material and the applied operating power imposed thereon, as well asthe wear encountered in service. When the conveyer chain parts by breakage 7 or failure in a link thereof, a large amount of time and labor is required to repair the same, with the result that the conveyer is rendered inoperative for aconsiderable period and large losses are entailed. The main factorsfcontributing t0 the repair of a broken chain and causing the expenditure of so much time and labor, are, the necessity for securing sufiicient slack in the chain, which usually requires moving the sprocket drive mechanisnnto allow of bringing the ends of the chain together with the broken link removed for insertion of a new link, and the return of the sprocket mechanism to normal operative position, as well as retrieving the ends of the broken chain and bringing them together for insertion of the new link.

One of the main and fundamental objects of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing problemsand difficulties by the provision of a conveyer chain link which can be readily applied to and connected into a chain to replace a broken link, without the necessity of obtaining slack in the chain, so as to eliminate the time and labor involved with resulting losses entailed by the slack securing operation.

Another object of the lnvention is to provide a conveyer chain link which is formed of sections and lockin g means therefor, all so designed and constructed that the link sec- 7 tions can be applied to a chain-laterally thereof to connectadjacent links of the chain Without requiring slack in the chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conveyer chain link formed of separable sections locked together, which link can be readily inserted in or removed 1 from a chain by separating the sections in a minimum of time with a minimum of effort,

A further object of the invention is to provide a conveyer chain link formed in sections secured together by laterally removable side plates designed to form a central solid block portion binding and holding the link sections rigidly together in link forming position against twisting or turning, and which link so f formed presents an exceedingly strong structure against breakage or failure under the large strains and stresses to which subjected in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a design and construction of separable section link capable of being quickly connected in and removed from a chain, and'such a link which is adapted for use with chains generally.

VVith the foregoing general objects, and certain other objects and results in view, which other objects and results will be read ily recognized by those familiar with the art from :the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrange ments of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter.

. Referring to the accompanying drawings,

in which similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures thereof: f

Fig. 1, is a view in top plan of a portion of a conveyer chain with a link'of the invention connected therein, the link formed to provide a flight or. push plate.

. I Fig. 2, is a view in side elevation ofFig. 1.

Fi 3 is a detail ers'ective view of a link of the invention with the parts thereof disassociated and in their relative positions for assembly.

Fig. 4, is a view in side elevation of the link of Fig. 3 in assembled link forming position, taken from the locking sidethereof.

Fig. 5, is a view in side elevation of the link of Fig. ltaken from the opposite side.

Fig. 6, is a-longitudinal horizontal section.

through the link of Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is a topplan view of the link of Fig.

41 in position with the parts disassociated,the link sections being shown 1n horizontal section.

Figs. 8 and9, are views inside elevation taken from opposite sides'of the assembled 1, formed with the flight or.

' were selected because the f problems solved and disadvantages overcome by the invention are present in a high degree in. such types of conveyer chains, and hence serve to more clearly bring forth and exemplify theinven-. tion. The principles and features of the invention are capable of embodiment generally to provide links adapted to various other e types of chains for other purposes, as willbe obvious to those skilled in the art.

' In the illustrated embodiments, according to the principles of the invention, a conveyer chain link is formed of the separate centrally open-and closed end link sectionsilO' and 11 having the usual rounded and thickened outer ends 10, to receive and form bearings for the pins of adj acent links extending transversely therethrough. Theinnerclosed ends 10llof V the link sections are formed squared to present flat end faces for abutting with the sections in longitudinally aline d, link forming position. Opposite side plates 12 and 1 1 are provided for clamping and locking tightly against opposite sides of the link sectionslO andll over and against the sidesof theinner abutting ends 10 thereof, to secure the sec-i I V tions rigidlytogether in link forming position and arrangement. 7 These side'plates 12 and 14, in the example hereof, are of a width k equal to the depth or width of the link sections and in assembled position having their Outer OT pp r and lower edges substantially flush with the outer, or upper and lower longi tudinal edge faces, respectively, of the linksections in assembled position.

The side plate 12 is formed with the spaced,

laterally projecting bars 15 and 16, rectan gular incross section in the present example,

of a thickness or depth equal to the internal width or depth of the centrally open portions of the link sections 10 andll, and spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the combined closed .endslO of the link sections when the latter are in assembled, abutting and link forming position. The bars 15 and 16' are spaced inwardly from the ends of plate 12,:but have their base portions laterally ex:

tended outwardly to the adjacent edges of plate 12, to form the projecting'blocks 17 on the inner side or face of the plate which are of a thickness substantially equal to one-half the transverse width "or thickness of the inner ends of'link sections 10 and 11. The plate 12 is positioned and applied against one side of the abutting link sections 10 and 11 with the bars 15 and 16 extending transversely through the inner, ends of the sections',re-

spectively, at opposite inner sides of the that ting closed link section ends, with such abut-" 1 ting sect-ion ends 10" received therebetween andheld' thereby into rigid, tightlyv abutting position against movement; In this position the blocks 17 "extend a' distance intothe cen-p trally open spacesof the link sections, and the bars 15-16 extend a distanceoutwardly beyond theiopposite sides thereof. 1

The opposite side plate 14, is formed of a "size substantially conforming'to that ofplate- 12, as will be clear by reference'to the draw-v v lugs, and is provided with theopposite end blocks 18 pro ect-lngfrom the vinner surface or face thereof in 'posltion corresponding to blocks17 ofpla-te 12f for-alinement with and 'abutting'against the same in assembled position of the plates as will be explained. Adj acentitheinner sides oredgcs of plate blocks 18, the plate'l lisformed with the squared openings 19 transversely therethrough,

posed in such position thereon asto receive' and form a tight I'uIlIlHlgfitWltll the bars 15 r 16 of plate 12. Theplatell-is' applied to and against the s1de, of l1nk sections 1Q and 11,-'opp ositethe plate 12, With the bars 15and 16 extending through and outwardly a distance therebeyond (see Figs. 1, 3 and 5 in particular), and the blocks 18 thereof extending lnto the lnne'r ends of the central openings of the link sect1ons,"to and abutting against the blocks 17 of plate 12 (see Fig. 5).

Thus, in assembled position of the link sec- I tions and opposite side clamping and locking plates 12 and 14, the link'sections lOandll are rigidly securedand held together in alined,

abutting and link forming position, with the central portion of the link so'formed presenting and formed with a substantially solid, closed central portion through the medium of the abutting section ends bars 15 and 16,

v and abutting plate blocks l'f and 18. The

construction and arrangement is therefore such,that the hnk sectlons 1011 are held rigid andnnmovable against lateral, or longitudinal play or movement, by the bars 15-46 spaced legs 21 for receiving the outer end of bar 16 tl'ierebetween with the base of plate 20' fitting against the inner side of the arm.

Flanges 22 are formed extending inwardly o from theouter end portions of legs 21 ad a- I j acent andin continuation of the inner side or surface of'plate 20, and extending longitudinally of the legs to and terminating a distance from the inner ends thereof to permit bar 16 of leg flanges 22. I forn'i'ed extending'from the outer end of the base plate 20, in continuation of the inner side or surface thereof and are provided I witli thereduced inner edges or'fianges 24.

of plate 12topass through the plate 20 betweenthe base end thereof andthe inner ends Projecting arms 23 are The outer projecting end of the bars 15 and 16 of sidepla-te 12 are formed with the upper and lowergrooves 25 and 26, respectively.-extending therea'cross and arranged to slidably receive flanges 24- and 22 of the key-plate 20.

The key plate 20 is applied to the link by placingthe same over the projecting end of bar 16 with the bar against the inner edge of "the base of the plate and flanges 22 and 24 of the plate alined with the bar grooves 26 and '25, respectively,.- and is then forced toward the'proj'ecting end of bar 15 into position with flan es 22' and 24 seated in their res )ective bar grooves, andthe bar ends disposed between the arms '23 and legs 21 of the key plate. thus locking the side plates '12. and 14 in position. A cotter pin'or the like 27 is then passed through and across legs 21 at the inner side of bar 16 to prevent the key plate from: workmoved.

ing or sliding from looking position. If desired the arms 23 and the inner flanges 24 thereof can be formed slightly tapered or inclined to secure a wedging action in the bar grooves 25.

.With the linkof the invention hereof designed for use in and with conveyer chains, the side plates 12 and 14-can be formed to provide the flights or push plates of a conveyer for engaging the material, in which form the side plates 12 and 14 each have the upwardly projecting wall portion 30 in continuation thereof with the laterally extending flight or push-plate portion 31 disposed transversely thereof and outwardly fromwall 30 and the'link side plate. Suitable strengthening web's 32 can be provided between the plate portions 31 and the Walls 30, as will be clear by reference to the drawings'. The flights or push plates so formed, are preferably as in the example hereof, formed integrally with the link side plates 12 and 14, and in assembled link forming po- I sition the strains and stresses imposed on the flight are transmitted to and absorbed by the central solid portion of the link, hereinbefore described, so that a strong rigid structure results.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying draw-.

:understood in the art. Now,assuming that one of the links L of the conveyor chain has broken inuse, and that the link of the invention has been inserted and connected in the chain to replace such broken link, as shown byFigs. 1 and 2. v Upon breaking of a link L and parting of the chain, the operation of the chain is stopped'and the broken link re- The broken ends of the chain are then recovered and brought into line in the usual manner and spaced apart a distance equal to the removed link. I-Ieretofore with the conventional links in use it was necessary to secure slack in the chain to bring the ends thereof together in order to insert a new link of the usual type, which generally required moving the sprocket drive mechanism, as

previously explained and well understood by those familiar with conveyor chain s.

With the invention, however, a link. thereof is disassembled, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, and the link sections 10 and 11 are connected to the opposite chain end links L by the pins L,after which'the sections are placed in abutting link forming position, the chain ends being drawn together by draw bars or other suitable means ofthe type usually em'- ployed. The, side plate 12 with bars 15-16 is applied, plate 14 is then applied to the opposite side of the link sections, over and receiving bars 1516, and the key plate 20 is'mounted over and'forced into locking position on the ends of the bars 1516, the cotter pin being inserted through the legs of key plate 20 to preventdisplacernent from looking position. Thus, the conveyer chain isrepaired without securing slack therein ;and with the expenditure of a minimum of time and labor; The construction of the link,

I as described, is such that in assembled position thereof it. presents a link of great strength, g V

VVhen'it is desired to remove a link of the invention from a chain, the key plate is withdrawn, to release side plates 12 and 14 and permit of theirremoval, after which the link sctionslO-ll can be removed from connectionwith adjacent links through removal of the connecting pins,'as L. It will be noted that in both applying the link and removing the same, no movement of link sections 10-11 longitudinallyof the chainis called for after they arein abutting position, and. all movements of applying and removing the side plates are performed laterally of the sections without moving the same. f

, Itis also evident that various changes,

modifications, variations, and substitutions" might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and hence I. do not wish to. limit myself to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

Desiring to protect my invention invthe broadest manner legally possible, what I claim is:

1. In a link, abutting link sections, and members disposed at opposite outer sides of and-interlocking with said link sections to maintain the'same in abutting and rigid linkforming position.

7 2. In a link, longitudinally alinedfiand .abutting'link sections, opposite side members engaging said sections to maintain the same in abutting-and rigid link forming position,

' and means for. locking said side members in position. 1 Y

a 3. Ina link, separate closed end link sec- 7 tions longitudinally alined with the closed inner ends abutting, a 'sideplate having projecting bars extendings through the link sections at'opposite sides of the abutting closed ends, and an opposite side plate fitting over the ends of said bars with the link sectionsheld in rigid,'link forming position. *4. In a link, separate closed'end link sections longitudinally alined with the. closed tionssin link forming, rigid position.

longitudinally alined and 7 7 5. Ina link,=separate closedjendlink sec- 1 tions longitudinally alined with the closed inner ends abutting, opposite side plates bearing against the sides of said sections over the abutting ends thereof, the said plates formed with cooperating barsand blocks extending inwardly through and clamping the abutting ends of the sections rigidly together, and means for locking said side plates in position. r V

6. In alink, separate closed. end link sections' longitudinally alined with the closed inner ends abutting, opposite side plates locked in position clamping the link sections together, and alined block members extendi i l 8,0, mgs from the inner opposed faces of the I platesthrough the link sections at opposite sides of the abutting. ends thereof, said block,

members abutting and engaging the link sectionsto prevent movements thereof.

tions longitudinally alined with the closed 7 In a link, separate closedend link sec-' inner ends abutting, a side plate 'having pro- 7 t jecting bars extending through the link sections at opposite sides of and clamping the abutting closed ends of the sections, an opposite side plate fitting over the ends of said bars and against thejlink sections with thebars extended beyond the plate, transverse grooves in the extended ends of the bars, and. a key plate for fitting over'the endsof the bars and engaging the grooves thereof t0? lock said plates and link sect-ions in lin forming position. V, 8, In a link, separate link sections having their inner ends squared, said sections longi- V tudinally alined with the inner squaredjends abutting, and opposite side members intere locking and securing the abutting ends of I I sections togetherin link forming position;

' 9.7 In a link, separate closed end link sections having squared "inner ends, said sections longitudinally alined with the squared' end abutting, opposite side plates-over the abutting endsof the sections clamping the same in link forming position, and trans-c verse bars extending between said plates throughthe link sections seated against the opposite sides of the abutting squared ends .7

to secure the sections rigidly together against movement.

10.- In a link, separable longitudinally;

alined link sections, and members engaging the longitudinal sides of and interlocking with said sections to clampthe same link' forming position.

r 11. In a link, separable and longitudinally v V alined link sections having their inner ends abutting, and means for securing said sections t-ogether'ln link fOIIHIIlg POSItlOII embodying members d sposed at theouter sides of said link engaged with and maintaining said" abutting section ends together.

12. In a link, separable longitudinally.

alined link sections ;havingwtheir inner ends abutting, removable means for securing said setcions together, including spaced members 

